News on the homefront...

We have had yet another eventful week!

John has accepted a Resident Director position at North Park University!! So, we will be moving just 5 miles south of where we live now into the residence hall on July 1st. It is a bit of a difficult time for a transition, but we are very excited about it. Unfortunately, we have to leave Evanston and our dear landlords.

Jessica is now a graduate of Columbia College!! After the ceremony we enjoyed a lovely dinner at Bandera on Michigan Ave. [Sans Jody] CONGRATS, JESS!



And I am 5 exams away from finishing school! It's going to be a long 3 days...

love from the windy city.
LJ

A Few Photos

WHITE COAT CEREMONY




GOOSE ISLAND FOR MOTHER'S DAY AND AARON'S B-DAY

Where did April go??

Somehow the whole month of April has escaped! We've had an eventful week, so here's a bit of a recap:

TUESDAY: White Coat Ceremony!! I have been coated and I am ready for clinical rotations!
WEDNESDAY: Aaron, my bro, turned 21...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AARON!
THURSDAY: Jessica's Pugialis Art Show! Her work is stunning and the gallery looked beautiful!

TODAY: Dinner at Claim Jumper with Megan and Jacob Bremer...can't wait to see you guys!
TOMORROW: Tour of Goose Island Brewery to celebrate Aaron and dinner with the family for Mom's Day!

So, we're keeping busy. And I now find myself two weeks away from finishing the first year of PA school!!! Only 4 exams left...

Similarly, John is wrapping up his semester by writing like a crazy man. We're both very ready for a break.

Mom and Dad B. are currently in Israel, so we are praying for their safety and that they are having a wonderful trip.

That's all for now from the Baldauffs. I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday!

LJ

Easter in the Burgh

We just returned from a great trip to Pittsburgh for a mini Easter break! I had two days off of school and John just takes off whenever he wants. :)

We spent some time in the yard at Mom and Dad's place doing some work, and we enjoyed a delicious Easter dinner at Nun and Uncle Mark's. We also took a long walk up steep hills with Mom and Dad...Dad kicked butt. And of course the kiddos did their egg hunt...John found all of Owen's eggs for him since he's only 7mos old. :)

THE WEATHER WAS GORGEOUS!! I came back with a few more freckles than we left with.

Tonight I learned how to do the male exam (down there) and the prostate exam. That's all I'll say about that. Next week it's the girls' turn...

ONLY 6 more weeks of my didactic year! Almost half way through PA school.

Have a great week, readers!

LJ

t.o.d.a.y.

what a day...

1. Half day of school
2. 60 degrees outside...and sunny :)
3. 5 years of John Baldauff, as of today
4. Trip to Trader Joe's (minus the cashier who asked, "Shouldn't you be in high school right now?")
5. Picnic on the beach
6. Frisbee on the beach
7. Frisbee in Lake Michigan...oops!
8. Bare feet in the sand
9. Woman at beach says, "You guys look like Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler."
10. Long nap
11. Sun-kissed faces




Definitely.

Ozark Adventure

A few photos from our backpacking trip to Arkansas!! It was cold, but we really enjoyed being outdoors and away from home for a while. We did several tough climbs and were really tired by the end of each day. AND, my boots disintegrated as we crossed the first stream. MAJOR BUMMER. But, I wore my brother Aaron's boots [2 sizes too big] and escaped with only one blister. Aaron hiked in his Chaco sandals...he's a man.

The Latest and Greatest

Well, it's been a whirlwind here, as is evident by our lack of blogging. John has been working crazy-hard at school in order to finish four papers by today. He's had class and work almost non-stop the past two weeks. And I have just finished finals week of my THIRD quarter! Only one quarter left to go before I start clinical rotations this June.

And so now we will relax....we're headed to the Ozarks in Arkansas tomorrow for a 4-day backpacking trip. Accompanying us are my brother, Aaron, my sister, Jess, and Chelsea, my friend from school. We are so excited to get out of town, head south, and be in the quiet wilderness.

Other highlights from the week include...

A trip to the Shedd Aquarium [mostly because it was a free admission day]


My first cross-country skiing adventure [aside from high school gym class]